Proteas skipper Amla quits after draw

Hashim Amla has quit as South Africa skipper after bad light ended his side's push for an unlikely victory over England in the second Test in Cape Town.

England were 6-159 fending off a late surge by the hosts on the last day of a high-scoring Test when rain and poor visibility stopped play early in the final session.

England led by 161 runs ahead and looked to have survived after South Africa had sensed an opportunity to roll out the tourists cheaply and attempt a thrilling run chase to level the series at 1-1.

England lost six wickets in two sessions, starting with the exit of captain Alastair Cook in the second over of the day. Jonny Bairstow (30no) survived a close stumping appeal just before tea as he and Moeen Ali (10no) steadied the ship for Cook's side.

England had been in complete command after posting 6-629 declared in their first innings but South Africa, inspired by Amla's double century, replied with a defiant 7-627dec, then turned the game completely through the success of its bowlers.

Using the early cloudy conditions to their advantage, South Africa quicks Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel removed openers Cook and Alex Hales swiftly, with neither adding to their overnight scores.

Cook (8) edged down the leg-side, while Hales (5) was out to a fine one-handed catch by Chris Morris in the slips.

Joe Root hit five fours in his 29, and survived being caught from a Morkel no ball. But Morris, with his first delivery of the day, crashed an unplayable in-swinging ball into Root's stumps.

When the normally-patient Nick Compton fell just before lunch to a careless shot off spinner Dane Piedt England was in trouble and South Africa sensed an opportunity for an unlikely win.

Ben Stokes, the hero of England's first innings with his stunning 258, then fell to Piedt trying for a big shot after lunch with James Taylor caught bat-pad off the offspinner.

But Bairstow and Ali guided their side home before the weather intervened.